Finding a television that fits into a smaller space is more difficult than ever. Space is a luxury, after all. When you add on the poor audio quality from most televisions, you’re left with very little room or options — or so I thought. After months of feeling boxed in by my old television, I decided to part ways with it. The juice wasn’t worth the squeeze. I wanted my room to feel less cluttered, and the television was a big part of the problem.
I decided to replace it with an Anker Nebula Capsule portable projector. It’s about the size of a soda can and produces a better image than my old television. I’ve owned the projector for about a year but thought I had lost it. I managed to find the Nebula Capsule hidden in a box under my bed. I plugged it in, closed the blinds and the image went from a hazy projection into a focused, clear image. I threw on a music video to test the sound and was surprised to find that it sounded even better than the old television we had (no soundbar needed).
Anker Nebula Capsule
What we like
- Portable and compact
- Good audio quality
- Easy set-up
Something to note
- 480p resolution
- Battery life
What we like
The Nebula projector is compact, weighing just over a pound. You can easily bring it with you on outdoor trips or to watch at a friend’s place. There’s also no need for all the cords or TV mounts. I could throw the projector image onto different walls in my apartment. All it took was creating a makeshift tripod by resting the projector on a stack of books or a stool. If you prefer proper stability, the Nebula has a slot for you to screw in a tripod if needed quickly. A portable projector isn’t perfect, but if it fits your needs, it can completely change how you enjoy entertainment in your living space.
The setup process was also simple. It runs Android OS, which has multiple apps and customization options. The Nebula easily connects via Wi-Fi, HDMI, Micro USB or Bluetooth.
The Nebula’s image quality is much more impressive than you might expect. Many of my favorite shows and movies were incredibly sharp. You can also blow the image up completely — I nearly took up the entire length and width of my bedroom wall. I also enjoy how easy the Nebula is to interact with. You can even control it with your phone if you can’t reach for a remote. The sound quality was also crisp and the audio didn’t become muddy even when I tested the volume at higher levels.
Things to note
After setting up my Nebula projector for the first time, I realized how dull the image can look on brighter days — blackout curtains are a great solution.
The Nebula’s battery life lasts for about two and a half hours, in my experience. According to the brand, the battery lasts four hours in Battery Mode, up to two and a half hours in standard mode and 30 hrs in Bluetooth speaker mode. This felt like a decent compromise for the size and portability of the device, and I felt like I could finish watching shows, YouTube or movies without any issues. When using a device of this size, you expect it to make some sacrifices. I found that the positives vastly outweighed any negatives.
Other products to consider
Anker Nebula Capsule 3
I’ve been using the Anker Nebula Capsule, but if you’re looking for a portable projector with an upgraded resolution, brightness and Dolby Atmos sound capability, you should try the Nebula Capsule 3. However, it does come with a larger price tag.
Why trust NBC Select?
Jordan Bowman is a commerce editor for NBC Select who writes and edits stories on various topics including tech, fitness, home and more. For this article, he used his years of commerce expertise and tech coverage to find his ideal home projector.
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